The pieces appear to be falling into place for Bellator champ-champ Ryan Bader’s next title defense.
After Bellator President Scott Coker teased Bader’s next fight would be in the light heavyweight division, where he’s held the belt since June 2017, Bader called out Jiri Prochazka following the Rizin light-heavy champ’s knockout win over his longtime teammate C.B. Dollaway.
Congrats #jiriprochazka . we couldn’t make it happen in @rizin_PR so let’s do this in the @BellatorMMA cage. LHW title on the line
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) December 31, 2019
Bader had lobbied to fight Prochazka at Bellator Japan, which took place two days prior to Rizin 20 on New Year’s Eve at Saitama Super Arena.